Rare 2003 Spyker C8 Laviolette (w/ startup)

A very rare black 2003 Spyker C8 Laviolette starting up and leaving South OC Cars and Coffee at the Outlets at San Clemente. Named after Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette who helped develop Spyker race cars in the early 1900s, the C8 Laviolette features a fixed hardtop with glass canopy and polished aluminum air intake. It is powered by the same Audi 4.2-liter V8 engine as the C8 Spyder producing 400 horsepower. This example is one of 58 Laviolettes built before the model was replaced by the C8 Aileron in 2009.

There were several noteworthy comments uttered around this unusual car. First is the ever-so-wise lady at 0:23 who concluded "it's a Corvette", probably because the script on the side says "C8" and ends in "-ette". Then there's the less presumptuous guy at 1:53 who simply admitted he's "never seen a car like that." Lastly, there's the dude at 2:14 who, for lack of better words, simply muttered "whoa..." It's a perfectly fitting response to a car that few have seen or heard of before and is just so unique from its overall shape down to its many fine little details.

This was my first time seeing the coupe (Laviolette) version of the Spyker C8 (which, for those who didn't know, existed long before that name became more commonly associated with a mid-engined Corvette). The Spyder was clearly the more popular choice among buyers, but the hardtop extends the car's dramatic styling down the roofline with a prominent roof scoop echoing the design of the side scoops. Not everyone is a fan of the pointy fish-like front end that looks comically narrow compared to the rear, but there's no doubt Spyker did an incredible job of executing the aviation-inspired design language throughout the car with prominent use of chrome seldom seen on a modern performance car. And I must admit the C8 has one of the sexiest interiors I've ever seen - a perfect blend of beauty, luxury, and mechanical sophistication.

Would you rather have the C8 Laviolette coupe or the C8 Spyder? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!